May 2012 - Temple Shir Tikva

Temple
Shir Tikva
ippd
May 2012
Nisan-Iyar 5772
When G-d called to Abraham, he responded, “Hineni, Here I am.”
Let Your Doors Be Open Wide
Yose ben Yochanan of Jerusalem said:
Let the doors of your house be open wide...
Pirkei Avot 1:5
S
habbat services, like virtually every class, Rabbi Neal Gold
event, or religious service at Shir Tikva,
are, of course, open to our entire community and to the
public. This includes our late services on Shabbat morning when,
almost every week from September through June, young people in
our community are called to the Torah as a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
This is, as they say, a no-brainer. Who would want to have it
otherwise— a synagogue where religious services are the inviteonly private domain of select members and their guests? Sometimes, in cynical moments, I fear that that is the consumerist, country-club direction in which American Judaism is slouching. But not
at Shir Tikva: The founders of our community have always made it
clear to me that every Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the Early Days was a
communal celebration, one where our members brought food and
shared to make the event a milestone not only in the life of a 13year-old or her family, but also for the entire community.
So where are we today? No one is ever excluded from our sanctuary, but these days there are not so many of us at B’nai Mitzvah
services who are not associated with the celebrating families.
There are probably several honest reasons for how we arrived at
this place:
• At Shir Tikva, like many Reform Jewish communities, the
large community service tends to be on Friday night rather
than on Saturday mornings. (In Conservative communities, for
some reason that a sociologist could explain, the “main service” became the Saturday morning service.)
• Here, like many Jewish communities that takeTefillah seriously, an “alternative” service developed, where regular worshippers could celebrate Shabbat, and less-regular attendees
could come to say the Kaddish or offer other special prayers.
This is our early 8:30 Shabbat service, which (I write proudly)
meets every Saturday morning of the year.
• Thus, the late service, where students become Bar/Bat Mitzvah, only takes place when a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is scheduled;
otherwise, we have no 10:45 service in a given week (for instance, during the summer months). So there is a perception
that that service exists “for” the B'nai Mitzvah families.
Our Ritual Committee is urging all of us to re-examine this state
(continued on page 4)
www.shirtikva.org
Sunday, June 3,
7 p.m.
“Rarely can one combine incredible musical
talent and charisma as Josh does.”
Inside This Issue…
Shabbat & Holiday Services……………………………...2
Education…………………………………………..……..7
Adult Learning Opportunities…………………….……...8
Page of Study—Daf Limud……………………………...9
Youth Community………………………………………11
Shir Tikva Library….…………………………………...12
Gathering……………….………………………….……13
141 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA 01778
508-358-9992
Hineni
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Shabbat and Holiday Services
May 2012
June 2012
Shabbat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim
Friday, May 4
6:00 pm Forshpeis (Nosh)
6:15 pm Simchat Shabbat Service
Shabbat Naso
Friday, June 1
6:00 pm Forshpeis (Nosh)
6:15 pm Simchat Shabbat Service and Confirmation
Saturday, May 5
8:30 am
Early Shacharit Service followed by Torah Study
9:30 am
Shabbat Yeladim
10:45 am Late Shacharit Service
JOSHUA KATEMAN, son of Jonathan and Millie
Kateman, Bar Mitzvah
JARED BUCHMAN, son of Jonathan and Nicole
Buchman, Bar Mitzvah
Saturday, June 2
8:30 am
Early Shacharit Service followed by Torah Study
9:30 am
Shabbat Yeladim
10:45 am Late Shacharit Service
SAMUEL LEVY son of Matthew and Karen Levy,
Bar Mitzvah
WILL LEVY son of Matthew and Karen Levy, Bar Mitzvah
Shabbat Emor
Friday, May 11
6:00 pm Forshpeis (Nosh)
6:15 pm Simchat Shabbat Service
Saturday, May 12
8:30 am
Early Shacharit Service followed by Torah Study
10:45 am Late Shacharit Service
ANDREW HAIMOVICI, son of Max and Jeanne Rosen,
Bar Mitzvah
ELIZA SOLOMON, daughter of Joshua and Nancy
Solomon, Bat Mitzvah
Shabbat Behar-Bechukotai
Friday, May 18
6:00 pm Forshpeis (Nosh)
6:15 pm Simchat Shabbat Service and High School Graduation
Saturday, May 19
8:30 am
Early Shacharit Service followed by Torah Study
9:00 am
Shabbat Mishpachah
10:45 am Late Shacharit Service
ISABEL KENDALL, daughter of Mike Kendall and
Alexandra Haagensen, Bat Mitzvah
Shabbat Bamidbar
Friday, May 25
6:00 pm Forshpeis (Nosh)
6:15 pm Simchat Shabbat Service
Saturday, May 26
8:30 am
Early Shacharit Service followed by Torah Study
10:45 am Late Shacharit Service
ABIGAIL STOLLER, daughter of John and Kate Stoller,
Bat Mitzvah
JACQUELINE STOLLER, daughter of John and Kate
Stoller, Bat Mitzvah
Shavuot
8:00 pm Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Shabbat Beha’alotecha
Friday, June 8
6:00 pm
Forshpeis (Nosh)
6:15 pm
Simchat Shabbat Service
Saturday, June 9
8:30 am
Early Shacharit Service followed by Torah Study
8:30 am
B’nai Mitzvah Torah Study
10:45 am Late Shacharit Service
BAILEY KRONER daughter of Monte Kroner and Beth
Kroner, Bat Mitzvah
Shabbat Shelach
Friday, June 15
6:00 pm
Forshpeis (Nosh)
6:15 pm
Simchat Shabbat Service and Graduation
Saturday, June 16
8:30 am
Early Shacharit Service followed by Torah Study
10:45 am
Late Shacharit Service
SAMUEL COHEN son of Jacques and Sharon Cohen,
Bar Mitzvah
DANIELLE KAHAN daughter of Lloyd and Suzanne
Kahan, Bat Mitzvah
Shabbat Korach
Friday, June 22
6:00 pm
Forshpeis (Nosh)
6:15 pm
Simchat Shabbat Service
Saturday, June 23
8:30 am
Early Shacharit Service followed by Torah Study
10:45 am
Late Shacharit Service and Adult B’nai Mitzvah
Shabbat Chukat
Friday, June 29
6:00 pm
Forshpeis (Nosh)
6:15 pm
Simchat Shabbat Service
Saturday, June 30
8:30 am
Early Shacharit Service followed by Torah Study
Sunday, May 27
10:00 am Yom Tov Shacharit Service with Yizkor
Page 2
Temple Shir Tikva
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Sharing Our Shabbat
Celebrations as a
Community
To the entire Shir Tikva Community:
The Ritual committee reminds you
that every prayer service at Shir Tikva is
open and welcome to everyone. However, under the leadership of our Rabbis
and our Ritual Committee, we are
launching an initiative to make the late
(10:45 am) Shabbat morning service,
when students become Bar/Bat Mitzvah,
more community-oriented and inclusive,
with community blessings, aliyot to the
Torah, and opportunities to chant from
the Torah.
It is our hope that this will lead to a
new feeling at all our B'nai Mitzvah and
life cycle celebrations that our entire
community kvells with our families as
they reach these milestones!
You are especially invited to join us on
June 9 for Shabbat morning services as
we explore these new paradigms for our
Shabbat morning community – and we
invite your feedback and comments.
Please come and join us! (Our early
Shacharit service (8:30 am) will continue
to meet on these dates and on every
Shabbat of the year.)
Thank you for your support and
enthusiasm.
Rabbi Neal Gold, Rabbi Greg Litcofsky
and members of the
TST Ritual Committee
From Our Rabbis and Cantor
We are eager to share in your times of
joy and to support you in times of
sadness. Please call us directly or
inform an administrative staff member
so we may extend timely friendship
and comfort to you
and your family.
Rabbi Neal Gold,
Rabbi Greg Litcofsky,
Cantor Hollis Schachner,
Rabbi Herman Blumberg,
Emeritus
Temple Shir Tikva
Hineni
SHIR TIKVA WARMLY INVITES YOU
TO CELEBRATE
The Joyful Holiday of Shavuot
“The Season of the Giving of our Torah”
Saturday, May 26, 5:30 p.m.
FAMILY SHAVUOT CELEBRATION
Join us as we work together to plant flowers along the entrance way to our temple. Help us to make
our Temple Shir Tikva community even more
beautiful. (Bring your own gardening tools.)
Pizza and ice cream sundaes will be served
Saturday, May 26, 8 p.m. to midnight
TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT
Come share in an inspiring night of
Torah learning and discovery
that will nourish
our hearts, minds, and souls
Our festive dessert buffet
will feature cheesecake and more
Sunday, May 27, 10 a.m. to noon
YOM TOV SHACHARIT SERVICE
WITH YIZKOR
Bring the whole family
to hear the Ten Commandments
chanted from the Torah
Page 3
Hineni
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
April 9 Board of Trustees’ Meeting Highlights
By Scott Machanic, Recording Secretary
Abe Wons presented an inspiring D’Var Torah, the message is that,
when you are faced with a situation which appears to present no options
that will lead to a good outcome, think “outside the box” and take the
initiative to create circumstances where a miracle can happen.
As Rabbi Gold wished us all a “liberating” Pesach, his thoughts turned to
the emotions of Gilad Shalit (the IDF soldier released last fall) and his
family, and the ethics of the deal which garnered his release. The clergy’s
pastoral load has been heavy recently, with tragedies and deaths in our
congregational family. On a brighter note, the Central Conference of
American Rabbis met in Boston, bringing 500 Rabbis and their thoughts
and energy. Cantor Schachner is halfway through her sabbatical.
David Passer is moving slowly toward an anticipated complete recovery.
The website upgrade is online. Joan Blair presented a demonstration of
some of its functionality, focusing on the new home page, the calendar
and the news and announcements functions. Thanks again to Joan Blair,
Jon Sieber, Barbara Gold and Peggi Cohen, and to the office staff and
everyone who has assisted with the upgrade.
Michael Cohn, on behalf of our IT Committee, informed on the state of
our systems, which are not good. They recommended, and the Board approved, immediate replacement of nine workstations used by the Clergy
and staff, with funds coming from our capital, rather than operating, accounts. The committee is continuing to consider our servers and infrastructure, and such issues as whether to place certain functions “in the
cloud.”
Marilyn Newman and Julie Kniznik, on behalf of Leadership Development, presented a handout on leadership best practices and core values and
led a workshop on dealing with conflict.
Mark Susser reported that expenses are under control, but income continues to be a challenge. A draft budget for fiscal year 2012–2013 was
presented, which included a 1% increase in dues and fees and a small
($4,975) surplus. There was major discussion about the validity of the
income projections, of the 1% increase, and, also, on how to best recognize our loyal, beloved staff in these difficult financial times, which have
required staff reductions. The board will be finalizing the budget at the
May meeting and the Congregation will vote at the Annual Meeting (June
4, 7:30 p.m.).
The budgeting process is made more difficult by David Passer’s absence.
It is anticipated that a draft budget will be presented to the Executive
Council in March and presented to the full board in April.
Laurene Sperling, Development Chair, reported $120,000 in Annual
Fund collections to date. The Phone-a-Thon did not garner significant
additional contributions. Another letter has gone out to the congregation
and we have a $ 50,000 matching grant challenge. We have an Annual
Fund Committee that is working to revitalize the collection efforts. In
addition, Susan Benjamin has accepted the position as co-chair of development. We are also planning a campaign in honor of the Congregation’s
36th anniversary, with a focus on our next 36 years.
Karen Langweber reported that the March fundraiser collected
$25,000, and was even more successful as a “friend raiser,” as about 180
people attended and a good time was had by all. Oz Perlman was universally reported to be amazing. Thanks to all who organized and participated.
Saturday, April 28, is the first of several B’nai Mitzvah celebrations
focused on participation by the entire congregation. Please join the simcha.
June 18 is the date for the Brotherhood golf tournament.
Celebrate Israel’s 64th anniversary with music, food, exhibits, activities and much more on April 29, 11 a.m. at the Temple.
Page 4
Rabbi Gold
(continued from page 1)
of affairs. They are proposing – with my full support – that
we strive to re-envision our B’nai Mitzvah services as events
where the entire Shir Tikva community celebrates with our
families, and where our Bar/Bat Mitzvah students lead services for our community, and not merely for their families
and friends. (As I said, when put that way, it’s a no-brainer.)
But it’s hard to change the tires of a car while it’s still in motion! How can we make change happen?
In fact, it is happening, and we’re hoping you’ll be part of
it. This spring, we’ve identified several late (10:45) Shabbat
services where we’ll try to make the service more inclusive.
This will include: An aliyah to the Torah that is reserved for
the congregation, not the family members of the Bar/Bat
Mitzvah; an opportunity for volunteers from the congregation
to chant from the Torah; communal prayers that I don’t normally do at Bar/Bat Mitzvah services; etc.
The purpose of all this is not to diminish the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience; it is to enhance it: by making the event a
shared experience with the community of which this young
person now becomes a full-fledged participant.
There will be plenty of B’nai Mitzvah services this month,
and, of course, everyone is welcome at all of them. But the
next of these inclusive services will be on June 9. Come and
experience it with us – and then, please share your thoughts
and comments with me.
Frankly, I think this is a tentative toe-in-the-water towards a
full immersion in the future, with plenty more community
involvement. I think that once we start, we’re all going to feel
so positive about this direction that we’ll ask ourselves why
we haven’t been doing it all along. Of course, the arrival of a
young Jew to a place of acceptance of responsibility for Mitzvot is a celebration for the whole community! I’m excited
about this direction, which is pushing us back towards the
founding values of Shir Tikva and, for that matter, the communal values upon which the beit knesset was founded in
generations past.
Passport to Israel
Gift Cards Available
Help a child you know save for the trip
of a lifetime by donating to their
Passport to Israel Fund.
To purchase a Passport to Israel gift card, visit the
temple’s main office. It’s a great way to celebrate accomplishments, honor milestones and help a child
reach his or her dream.
THE MYRA AND ROBERT KRAFT
PASSPORT TO ISRAEL PROGRAM
Temple Shir Tikva
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Hineni
Temple Shir Tikva Honors Rachel Kest
Celebrate our
5772 Graduating Seniors
Friday, May 18, 6:15 p.m.
Daniel Abend
Claire Bailey
Rachel Becker
Asa Hecker
Melissa Hill
Jeffrey Kasle
Marissa Kaye
Sara Kohlberg
Julia Levinson
Halle O’Conor
Haylee Rosenblatt
Mariko Sadagursky
Julia Saltzman
Cameron Scari
Jacob Slater
Bradley Swartz
More Torah, more life;
More study, more wisdom;
More counsel, more understanding;
More charity, more peace.
Perkei Avot (2:8)
Upcoming Young Families’ Events in May
Young Families’ Havdallah Program
Saturday, May 12, 4:30-7 p.m.
Join us as we bring Shabbat to a close and
begin a new week with friends, new and
old. We will celebrate together through
songs, prayer and food.
Start your week off right, connect with other families,
and join us for a terrific series. For more information,
contact Robyn Wolensky at emergingindustr@gmail.
com.
Temple Shir Tikva
The entire congregation is invited to
join us on Sunday, May 20, at 11 a.m.
when we will honor and celebrate Rachel
Kest for her 13 years as our beloved
educator. We will gather in the sanctuary,
honor Rachel and celebrate with her favorite foods – cake and ice cream!
Temple Shir Tikva 2012
Annual Fund
Campaign Update
T
hanks to our community
members who have participated in helping to
reach our annual fund goal for
this budget year which ends on
June 30. Because of your generous contributions, to date, we
have received $155,000.
There are a little over two
months left to meet our goal of
raising an additional $95,000 for
the Annual Fund and we need
your help. Our Spring Annual
Fund Campaign includes a goal
of raising $50,000 by congregants, which, if raised, will be
generously MATCHED by a
family in the community and will
bring us closer to meeting our goal of $250,000. We have currently received $33,000 toward the matching goal.
To give to the Annual Fund you can easily link to http://
shirtikva.org/about/givingtzedakah and show your support. Our
Annual Fund enables us to maintain excellence as we worship,
learn and gather together, even as we ensure that membership
remains open to everyone in our community. We deeply appreciate all gifts to our Annual Fund to help us foster an inclusive
and financially secure community.
The Annual Fund Committee consists of Susan Benjamin,
Amanda Sonis Glynn, Janet Polansky, Ed Polansky, Michael
Schreiber, Laurene Sperling and Joe Volman.
Page 5
Hineni
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Adult Education
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Finding Your Soul Name
Rabbi Neal Gold, Rabbi Greg Litcofsky
Monday Mornings with Rabbi Alan Ullman
June 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Every Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
Every Shabbat morning at TST a group of spirited students
gather to study the weekly Torah portion. The conversation is
always insightful and fun as we explore our ancient texts and
mine them for contemporary meaning. The group is open and
inviting and everyone is always welcome to join us as we uncover the Torah’s timeless lessons and values.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Torah Study
Rabbi Neal Gold, Rabbi Greg Litcofsky
2nd Saturday each month, 9:15 a.m.
Our pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah students and their families join together as a learning community monthly, to study the weekly
Torah portion. Students, parents, siblings and grandparents are
always invited to join our teachers for a freewheeling conversation about the foundation texts of Jewish life.
Wednesday Torah Study
One of the great themes in Torah is that each of us has a
name given to us by God. It is the name God breathed into us at
birth. It is our soul and identity and it sets forth for us a vision
and a path for our lives.
Using examples (or stories) from Torah, Talmud and Chasidic parables, we will study together and explore aspects of the
questions: What is a soul name? How do we discover our soul
name? What does it mean to 'live out' our soul name, in our
daily lives?
In order to truly seek the sacred, we will want to avail ourselves of some of the varied ways in which God can communicate to us. Therefore, we'll experience or observe many dimensions of this communication during our study together.
We will meet in the Beit Midrash at Temple Shir Tikva. The
class will be limited to 12 participants. Register by emailing
lgoldbaum@shirtikva.org.
Registration fee for the four sessions is $50 per person.
Rabbi Neal Gold
Every Wednesday, 10-11:30 a.m.
Have You Seen Our New Website?
An inspired group gathers on Wednesday mornings for friendship, community, and the study of the great books of the Jewish people (both ancient and contemporary). Newcomers are
always invited to join this very warm and special community
within the Temple for mid-week spiritual insights from our
tradition.
Go to www.shirtikva.org
Here are some shortcuts:
Volunteers Needed
to visit people receiving hospice care
You can make a difference in someone’s life in
as little as one hour a week. Training is provided.
Non-contact positions are also available.
Call Alice Hutter at West River Care:
781-707-9580
Page 6
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current issue of Vats Nu
• www.shirtikva.org/events-and-resources/Hineni-on-the-web
current and past issues of Hineni
•
www.shirtikva.org/calendar/month
current temple calendar
• www.shirtikva.org/about/givingtzedakah
make an online donation
•
www.shirtikva.org/events-resources/photo-galleries
view member photos
Temple Shir Tikva
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Hineni
jepig Education
Temple Shir Tikva
Religious School
Tzedakah Mall
Sunday, May 20, 2012
28 Iyar 5772
10:15 -11 a.m.
Grade 4 on the JCAM trip (Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts).
May Religious School and Youth Community Calendar
Bring your tzedakah dollars
and buy tickets to allocate among
the different tzedakah booths
staffed by students in K-6.
Each grade has learned about
and supported a different tzedakah organization throughout the
year. The school is creating a
“mall” to educate and advertise
the organizations they have supported and sell their missions to
all members of the Shir Tikva
community.
Tickets are available (50 cents
a ticket) at the entrance to the
mall. You can walk around the
mall to learn about all the good
work our school is supporting.
Deposit your tickets in the
Tzedakah drop box located at
each booth.
PLEASE COME AND
“SHOP” ‘TIL IT FEELS GOOD!
Temple Shir Tikva
5/2
Religious School & Youth Community
3:45 – 5:45 &
6– 8 p.m.
5/6
Religious School
Kindergarten Family Education
Grade 6 – Walk for Hunger (Meet at Riverside T)
9 – 11a.m.
9 – 11a.m.
8 a.m.
5/9
Religious School & Youth Community
3:45 – 5:45 &
6– 8 p.m.
5/13
Religious School
9 – 11a.m.
5/16
Religious School & Youth Community
Youth Community Spring Picnic
3:45 – 5:45 &
6– 8 p.m.
5/18
Youth Community Graduation at Simchat Shabbat
6:15 p.m.
(5:45 p.m.
class picture)
5/19
Shabbat Mishpacha
Grade 2 & Grade 5 Lead
9 a.m.
5/20
Last Sunday of Religious School
Religious School Tzedakah Mall
Rosh Hodesh Grade 6 Meet at Mayyim Hayyim
9 – 11a.m.
10:15 a.m.
4 p.m.
6/1
Confirmation at Simchat Shabbat
6:15 p.m.
(5:45 p.m.
class picture)
6/3
Rosh Hodesh Groups Meet at TST (6,7, 8, 9, 10)
4-6 p.m.
Page 7
Hineni
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Youth Community
Spring Picnic
Celebrate with the
Confirmation Class of 5772
Evan Berkowitz
Jacob Becker
Scott Dolgov
Harry Falber
Wednesday, May 16, 6 p.m.
•Come and eat!
•Play on big blow-up games!
Sara Glick
Ethan Hecker
Jon Goodman
Erica Magier
•Hang with friends, listen to music
and enjoy the weather!
•Celebrate Samantha for all she has
done for our Youth Community, as
she prepares to leave Shir Tikva.
Teens from grades 6 through 12
are invited to attend.
Yad B’Yad (Hand to Hand)
Year-long food donation program — make it
a weekly routine and a family mitzvah.
Temple Shir Tikva will
continue to collect food
THROUGHOUT THE
YEAR for Jewish individuals and families who cannot afford the basic
necessities. Food will be distributed through
JF&CS’s Family Table.
TST has been assigned tuna fish and
pasta (whole grain varieties if possible) to
support this program. Please bring these
items (marked Kosher or Pareve) weekly
and place them in the Family Table receptacle near the temple office.
Monthly volunteers are needed to deliver
our temple's contributions to JF&CS in
Waltham. Contact Rich Friedman at rich@
friedmanpartners.com for more information.
Page 8
‫ מָה‬,‫ְׁש ֲאנִי ְל ַע ְצמִי‬
ֶ ‫ ּוכ‬.‫ מִי לִי‬,‫ אִם אֵין ֲאנִי לִי‬,‫הּוא ָהיָה אֹומֵר‬
?‫ אֵי ָמתָי‬,‫ְׁשיו‬
ָ ‫ וְאִם לֹא ַעכ‬.‫ֲאנִי‬
Hillel says, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
But if I am only for myself, what am I?
If not now, when?"
Pirke Avot 1:14-15
Celebrate a year of learning and Torah
with the Confirmation Class of 5772
on Friday, June 1, 6:15 p.m.
JFS Patient Navigator Volunteers Needed
Become a patient navigator and address a
vital need for senior adults and their families.
Going to the doctor alone can be stressful or
confusing for anyone. For seniors in our community who have no family or trusted caregiver
available to accompany them to their medical
appointment, it can become overwhelming.
A volunteer patient navigator accompanies a senior to a medical appointment.
They prepare for the appointment together and record the outcome and medical
recommendations. This volunteer position is of special interest to those who
have a health care background or personal experience as a patient or caregiver.
Jewish Family Services provides comprehensive training and on-going support. Volunteers can select assignments that fit their schedules. For more information or to register for Patient Navigator volunteer training, contact Nancy
Fried-Tanzer, M.Ed, at nfriedtanzer@jfsmw.org or call 508-875-3100, ext. 330.
Temple Shir Tikva
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Hineni
cenl sc Page of Study
Jeremy Cohen teaches: I would not be the first to say that
late at night or an otherwise trivial assignment in the final
life can be hectic, busy, and stressful, and I’m confident that minutes before class. But I came to realize that my old phiI will not be the last. The conventional wisdom is that a full losophy was inherently flawed: as I moved into middle
schedule is indicative of a full life. The well-rounded, ideal school and then on into high school, inane amounts of work
person achieves social and intellectual happiness through an overloaded my intricate agendas and carefully-laid
plans. The pressure was unbearable, and disaffection was
array of demanding and diverse pursuits. Needless to say,
the expectations for today’s prosintensely appealing. For guidance,
What does the unwise person say?
I turned to Jewish-American
perous, productive members of
“Who can learn Torah? Just the section of Nizikin leather jacket model Billy
society are higher than ever.
Joel. “Slow down, you crazy child.
(an order of the mishnah about damages) is itself 30
My purpose here is not to deYou’re so ambitious for a juvechapters long! Just the section Kaylim (an order on
bate the merits of this value sysnile.”
how we use vessels and utensils for the temple and
tem or pass judgment over its
well-intentioned followers. I
firmly believe in all paths to selfactualization. In fact, I once held
fast to the idea that a “healthy”
amount of stress is integral, that
too much free time results in
sloth and complacency and that
overwhelming ambition is the
only key to success.
kashrut) is itself 30 chapters long!”
What does a wise person say? “I will study 2 laws
today and another 2 tomorrow – until I have learned
the entire Torah!”
'‫מי יכול ללמוד את התורה נזיקין ל' פרקים כלים ל‬
‫פרקים הריני לומד שתי הלכות היום ושתים למחר עד‬
.‫שאני לומד את כל התורה כולה‬
Leviticus Rabbah 19:2
There are some who thrive in
structured settings with clearly defined goals. Yet, there are
many who suffer under the pressure of a strict, goal-oriented
environment. When I was younger, I fell into the former
group: I had agenda books, made to-do lists, and found satisfaction with each new task checked off.
Perhaps adolescence ruined me. I’ve begun enjoying the
adrenaline rush right before a deadline, finishing a paper
It is the same lesson reflected in
this month’s text, and in the unexpectedly useful advice of my 8th
grade history teacher: focus on the
process, not the goal. Most likely,
I will still be doing schoolwork for
the next five years at least – a scary
perspective, no doubt. It’s tempting to become frustrated, throw my
hands in the air and shout profanities for all who can hear.
Instead, I focus on each individual day: to enjoy the essay
I’m writing or book I’m reading, without worrying as much
about my final grade; to recognize that I am not nearly as
productive as a machine, nor should I be; and to set aside
some time in the afternoon and early morning to sleep
(perchance to dream).
Looking For a Meaningful Volunteer Experience?
Jeff’s Place, a community-based, familyfocused program, provides FREE peer
support groups and services to children
and teens, ages preschool through high
school, and their caregivers coping with a
significant death loss. All families are welcome, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity
or socioeconomic status.
Jeff’s Place is open to the entire Metro
West community and our support groups
are 100% free, though all donations are
gratefully accepted. We are proud and
Temple Shir Tikva
truly appreciative of our partnership with
Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, who generously provides us with a much needed
home for our support groups. Jeff’s Place
is a nonprofit 501(c)3.
Jeff’s Place support groups take place at
Temple Shir Tikva every other Monday
evening from 6:30-8:15 for family participants and from 5:30-9:30 for Volunteer
Facilitators. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of one-year (late September-June) facilitating groups after successful completion of the training.
Once volunteer facilitators complete
training, he/she will be matched to an appropriate position. If you are interested in
helping in another way, we always need
volunteers to assist with administrative/
organizational tasks and special events.
For more information or to register for
the next Volunteer Facilitator Training,
contact Jenny Kaplan Schreiber at jenny
@jeffs placemetrowest, call 508-276-3225
or visit www. jeffsplacemetrowest. org.
Page 9
Hineni
Locks of Love and
Mitzvah Day Set
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
New Evening Book Group
At Temple Shir Tikva
For October 28
Locks of Love, a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the
United States and Canada who
are suffering from long-term
medical hair loss from any
diagnosis, will once again be a
part of our temple-wide Mitzvah Day program on October
28.
A minimum length of 10
inches is needed for a Locks of
Love hair donation, so if
you’ve always wanted to donate your hair to Locks of
Love, now is the time: Ready,
Set, GROW!
Locks of Love’s mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss by
utilizing donated ponytails to provide the highest quality hair
prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children. The children
receive hair prostheses free of charge or on a sliding scale,
based on financial need.
Guidelines for Acceptable Donations
•Hair that is colored or permed is acceptable.
•Hair that has been bleached (usually this refers to
highlighted hair) is not usable. If unsure, ask your stylist.
**If the hair was bleached years ago and has completely
grown out, it is fine to donate.
•Hair that is swept off of the floor is not usable because
it is not bundled in a ponytail or braid.
•Hair that is shaved off and not in a ponytail or braid is
not usable. If shaving your head, first divide hair into
multiple ponytails to cut off.
•Layered hair is acceptable if the longest layer is 10
inches.
Page 10
T
he first meeting of a TST book
‘course’ that complements our adult continuing Jewish education program will
meet on Monday, May 14, 7:30–9 p.m.
Congregation members are encouraged to
read the book and participate. The goal is
to discuss a book monthly that is approachable, of reasonable length, and appropriate
to our interests in Judaism and Israel. Books and monthly discussion leaders will be selected by the group. At this
first meeting there are three objectives:
•Discuss The Jews of Silence
•Encourage participants to present a book to the group for our
June meeting.
•Discuss meeting venue, date, time and books for the 20122013 season.
To begin the group, we will study an important yet highly
discussable book, The Jews of Silence by Elie Wiesel (132
pages) published with a new introduction by the author in 2011.
The book is available at the NE Book Fair (call first), Amazon
and Brandeis library.
TST has many USSR-born members who we hope will attend
and explain the book in the context of their life in Russia - refuseniks, and social and state anti-Semitism.
These reviews will whet your interest:
--“In the fall of 1965 an Israeli newspaper sent a young journalist named Elie Wiesel to the Soviet Union to report on the
lives of Jews trapped behind the Iron Curtain. “I would approach
Jews who had never been placed in the Soviet show window by
Soviet authorities,” wrote Wiesel. “They alone, in their anonymity, could describe the conditions under which they live.”
--“This report by Elie Wiesel on the Jews of Silence helped
increase greatly Western interest in the Russian Jewish community. It helped rally the Jewish world in support of the emigration movement. And eventually it helped in the liberation of the
Soviet Jews from their prison. Over one million were to come to
Israel in the decades ahead. It is rare that a book has so much
influence. A courageous witness like Elie Wiesel deserves great
credit for this historical ‘miracle’.
For more information, contact Chuck Huizenga at
chashuizenga@comcast.net.
Temple Shir Tikva
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Hineni
“You Won’t Believe
Your Eyes” Collects
Over $25,000
T
he title of the 2012
fundraising event was
“You Won’t Believe
Your Eyes” and we certainly didn’t. Over 180 members of our
community and their guests raised
over $25,000 for the TST Annual
Fund. The iPAD3 raffle, donated
by the Board of Trustees, raised
over $2,000.The committee transformed TST into a magical place
of wonderful food, fabulous auction items and the spellbinding
illusions of Oz Pearlman.
Thank you to all our generous
donors of food, wine, beer and
design, which all added immensely to the festive spirit.
Baker’s Best
Choice Catering and Events
Cuisine Chez Vous
Deja Blu
East Meets West
Franklin Caterers
Holten Brandi
Inna’s Kitchen
Jodi Raphael Events
La Bonne Maison
Leiby’s Flowers Weston
Lola's
Lombardo's
Max Ultimate Food
Mel & Ernie’s
Off Center
Off the Vine
Sensational Foods
The Martignetti Companies &
Matthew & Brooke Stein
• The Party Specialist
• The Shaw Families
• Water Lily & Lotus Blossom
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• ‘Wiches of Boston
Temple Shir Tikva
Page 11
Hineni
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Rashi School Curious Minds Program
For Preschoolers
Happy Birthday, Israel
Thursday, May 3, 1-2:30 p.m.
Sing and dance with Ellen Berkowitz, Rashi’s Israeli Dance teacher, and celebrate
Israel’s 64th birthday! Ellen Dietrick, Director of Temple Beth Shalom’s Early
Childhood Center will read her book, It’s Israel’s Birthday.
Advance registration is appreciated. Email admissions@rashi.org or call Anne
Puchkoff at (781) 355-7317 to RSVP. A healthy snack will be provided. We are
located on Route 135, Exit 17 off Route 95/128. If using a GPS device, enter 45
West Street, Dedham.
Page 12
Online Donations
To make performing
the mitzvah of tzedakah
more convenient,
we have enabled
on-line donations.
Go to
www.shirtikva.org/about/
givingtzedakah
Temple Shir Tikva
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
dlidw
Hineni
Gathering
Annual Sisterhood Dinner
Sisterhood Mah Jongg Tournament
Monday, May 7, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 17, 7 p.m.
Gain perspectives and practices to transform your life!
Please join us for an evening of friendship and
inspiration as we engage in an interactive and experiential conversation, led by Randy Kamen
Gredinger, about gaining perspectives and building practices to improve and enhance our daily
lives as modern Jewish women.
Together we will explore strategies and solutions that we can
easily put into practice. This illuminating evening includes a
wine and cheese reception and a delicious catered meal.
RSVP to www.shirtikva.org/springdinner.
This will be an evening of bams, cracks and
dots. Please join us for our 2nd Mah Jongg
Tournament. It is open to everyone so bring all
your mah jongg friends. Top three scoring
players will be awarded prizes. The 2012 card will be used. The
cost will be $18 for everyone, but you must register — no walkins that night. Refreshments will be served.
Please register online at www.shirtikva.org/mahjongg by
May 11.
If you have questions about any sisterhood event, email
tstsisterhood@shirtikva.org.
Brotherhood Game Night
Thursday, May 10, 7:30 p.m.
After a short break, the Temple Shir Tikva Brotherhood Golf Classic is back. The
event has been moved to get away from the busy fall schedules. This year’s event
will be held at Stow Acres Country Club in Stow on Monday, June 18.
The TST Golf Classic is an opportunity to participate in a fun filled gathering of
golf enthusiasts at every level of play, rekindle friendships, and support Temple
Shir Tikva. This is the brotherhood’s big event of the year so come on out and help
us make this a big success!
You can participate in several ways…
Play golf. Sign up yourself, invite your spouse or friend, or bring your own
foursome. We'll match you up with golfers of similar ability. We play the
"best ball" style of play that get's everyone involved in the fun. Just $200
covers 18 holes, golf cart, box lunch and heavy hors d'oeuvres after golfnot to mention the after-golf awards and live and silent auctions.
Buy raffle Tickets. Get your raffle tickets for a great chance of winning four
Red Sox tickets located in the owner’s box seats near the Red Sox on deck
circle!
Become a sponsor. If you own a business or know someone who does, you
can sponsor a hole, the lunch, hors d'oeuvres or the entire tournament with
a generous donation that also generates terrific publicity.
Donate auction items. Donate sports or theatre tickets, vacation properties,
personal services or other merchandise of value. These can be a huge part
of the proceeds for the golf classic offered up through our silent and live
auction. Your donations are very welcomed and appreciated.
Bid on auction items. Take home great gifts that you and your family will
enjoy and be part of the fun at our auctions.
Get your foursome together or register to be added to a foursome and make new
friends. For information or to register, go to www.shirtikva.org/golf.
Temple Shir Tikva
Join us for another evening of fun and
talking with other men from the temple.
We will be playing a Texas Hold’em tournament including free movie passes for
the winners. If that doesn’t strike your
fancy, then bring along a chess board or
other game of interest and you will find
someone to play with. Feel free to pass the
word on to your friends at the temple to
join us also.
If you have any questions or to let us
know you are planning to attend, email
Peter Abend at tstbrotherhood@shirtikva.
org. We will collect $20 from temple
members and $25 from non-members to
play in the Texas Hold’em tournament. If
you are not playing poker, $5 covers refreshments ($10 for non-members) .
We look forward to seeing you there!
Page 13
Hineni
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Temple Shir Tikva Library
By Susan Saul, Librarian
New Books—
Books—Just for Kids!
In keeping with our mission to provide books for all congregants, this month we are
featuring several of the newest books for children, ranging from picture books to those
appealing to young adults. We hope you will enjoy sharing these with your family.
Estie the Mensch / Kohuth, Jane
Estie, who does not always like people
very much, enjoys pretending to be an
animal--until she finds out how to be a
"mensch."
Shabbat Princess/
Meltzer, Amy
When Rosie pretends to be the Shabbat Princess, invited to her home
along with the Shabbat Queen, she
reminds her parents of how they should be
treating their honored guest each week.
Say Hello, Lily/Lakritz, Deborah
Lily wants to go with her mother to visit
the people who live at Shalom Home, an
assisted living facility, but when they
arrive she suddenly feels very shy.
Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah
Candles /Lehman-Wilzig, Tami
Jacob loves his autistic brother, Nathan, but when Hanukkah comes,
Jacob is worried that Nathan might
embarrass him in front of his new friend.
What if Nathan blows out the Hanukah candles?
A class in Israel tours a farm to learn
how honey is made and used to celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.
To Hope and Back: The Journey of
the St. Louis/Kacer, Kathy
A true account of two Jewish children
on the ship St. Louis who, while attempting to escape Nazi Germany, were
turned away from port after port.
Green Bible Stories for Children/
City of Spies / Kim, Susan
Lehman-Wilzig, Tami
In 1942 New York City, when budding
cartoonist Evelyn and her new friend,
Tony, find a genuine Nazi spy. After
some false alarms, it soon looks like
Evelyn might end up in the kind of adventure she writes about in her comics.
Recounts Bible stories from the creation to the battles of Joshua with an
emphasis on their environmental aspects, and suggests related crafts, recipes and other activities.
Page 14
What's the Buzz? Honey for a
Sweet New Year/Ofanansky, Allison
Temple Shir Tikva
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
Hineni
Donations
Adopt-a-Family Fund
•Bob and Lonnie Swarz - in memory of
•Jacques Cohen and Sharon Bially Cohen -
•Jane Maimon - in honor of David and
Randy Goldberger, wife of Stephen Goldberger
•Sema Faigen - in memory of her husband,
Ivan
•Bob and Lonnie Swarz - in memory of
Betsy Gross, wife of Peter Gross
•Matt and Karen Langweber - in honor of
the wonderful event committee for “You
Won’t Believe Your Eyes’
•Matt and Karen Langweber - in honor of
Ren Knopf
•Peter and Nancy Gossels - in memory of
Steve Salomon, husband of Sara Salomon
•Peter and Nancy Goseels - in memory of
Robert Frank, husband of Velma Frank
•Mara Klein Collins - in memory of Joan
Jarvis, mother of Cathy Regensburger
•Jonathan and Megan Smith - in memory
of Barbara Shuffain, mother of Rebecca
Sipowicz
•Matt and Karen Langweber - in memory
of Joan Jarvis, mother of Cathy Regensburger
•Warren and Nancy Winnick - in loving
memory of Rose and David Winnick, parents of Warren Winnick
•Betty Brudnick - in memory of Jerry
Kaye, father of Richard Kaye
•Betty Brudnick - in memory of Helen Berman
•Rabbi Neal Gold - in honor of the Bar
Mitzvah of Adam Maimon
•Rabbi Neal Gold - in honor of the Bar
Mitzvah of David Maimon
•Bob and Lonnie Swarz - in honor of
Karen Kavet on her birthday
•Bob and Lonnie Swarz - in honor of Myra
Snyder on her birthday
•Rabbi Neal Gold - in honor of the Bar
Mitzvah of Zachary Kaye
•Rabbi Neal Gold - in honor of the Bat
Mitzvah of Elizabeth Kaye
•Rabbi Neal Gold - in honor of the Bat
Mitzvah of Rachel Clausen
•Max Rosen and Jeanne Ackman - in
honor of the B’nai Mitzvah Andrew
Haimovici and Ellie Solomon
•Joshua and Nancy Solomon - in honor of
the B’nai Mitzvah of Andrew Haimovici
and Ellie Solomon
with appreciation for Rabbi Gold for the
warm, lively, and liberating seders.
•Bob and Lonnie Swarz - in appreciation
of Michael Gottlieb
•Jeff and Tracey Maimon - in honor of the
B’nai Mitzvah of their sons, Adam and
David Maimon
•Matt and Karen Langweber - in honor of
the engagement of Lindsay Cohen, daughter of Laraine Levy to Brian Nakash
•Ben and Irina Boverman - in honor of the
birth of their granddaughter, Mayim
Boverman
•Morris and Patricia Passer - in honor of
their son, David Passer, and his continued progress towards good health and a
complete recovery
•Richard and Ellen Blocker - in honor of
David Passer’s speedy recovery
Adam Maimon’s B’nai Mitzvah
Annual Fund
•Anonymous (2)
•Jeff and Kelly Lappin
•Matt and Karen Langweber
•Donald Bachman and Karen Back
•Andrea Syatt
•Michael and Alexandra Mirman
•Jeremy and Julie Trask
•Jeff and Laraine Levy
•Karen Wise
•Neal and Heidi Gold
•Christopher and Danyel Rodgers
•Malcolm and Susan Green
•Cary and Susan Benjamin
•Don Schuler and Joan Blair
•Elizabeth Meade
•Harry and Deborah Merkin
•Scott and Marcia King
•Andrei and Liliane Schor
•Allan Dines and Heidi Tissenbaum
•Will and Ami Danoff
•Brett and Jeremi Carswell
•Sara Salomon
•Franklin and Karen Rosen
•Sheila Deitchman
•Jim and Doreen Rao
•Gregory and Natalie Zelyakovsky
•Tevy and Karen Dines
•Richard and Shetal Kaye
•Mitch and Ali Corton
•David and Suzanne Rich
•Eli and Marge Edelson
•Ted and Phyllis Bially
•Leonid and Yanina Gordin
•Joan Friedman
•Ken and Cheryl Chernack
•David Passer and Marc Maxwell
•Steve Richmond and Julie Weinstein
•John and Millie Kateman
•Herman and Paula Blumberg
•Jeff and Marcie Jonas
•Joe and Diane Stone
•Michael Abrahams
•Jonathan and Susan Kasle
•Elaine Ellenbogen
•Jeff and Heather Swartz
•Harvey and Amy Michaels
•Paul and Marcia Rosenberg
Temple Shir Tikva
Music Fund
•Donald and Gail Smith - in honor of Ben
Shapiro becoming a Bar Mitzvah
•Bob and Lonnie Swarz - in memory of
Claire Jonas, mother of Jeff Jonas
Rabbi Gold’s Discretionary Fund
•Berna Haberman
•Paul Richards
•Ted and Phyllis Bially
•The Libbin Family – in appreciation of
Rabbi Gold and in honor of Joyce’s Bat
Mitzvah
•Ed and Zoe Chates - in memory of Philip
Chates
School Enrichment Fund
•David and Rhonda Cohen, Adam and
Erica Magier - in memory of Joan Jarvis,
mother of Cathy Regensburger
Study in Israel Scholarship Fund
•Vladimir and Lena Savikovsky - in mem-
ory of Iosif Savikovsky
Youth Community Fund
•Avi and Jeremy Gold - in honor of their
uncle, John van der Wallen
•Cary and Susan Benjamin - in memory of
Joan Jarvis, mother of Cathy Regensburger
Page 15
Hineni
May 2012 Iyar-Sivan 5772
ippd
Temple
Shir Tikva
508-358-9992
Affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts
In Our Congregation
New Members
Rosalind Gertner
3 Hummock Way
Hudson, MA 01749
Mark, Eric
Phil Benjamin, President
president@shirtikva.org
Neal D. Gold, Rabbi
rabbigold@shirtikva.org
Mazel Tov to —
Greg Litcofsky, Associate Rabbi
rabbilitcofsky@shirtikva.org
Herman J. Blumberg, Rabbi Emeritus
hermanblumberg@gmail.com
Hollis Schachner, Cantor
cantor@shirtikva.org
Laraine Cohen Levy and Jeff Cohen on
the engagement of their daughter, Lindsay
Cohen, to Brian Nakash
David Passer,
Executive Director
Deena Bloomstone,
Director of Congregational Learning
Rachel Kest,
Director of Elementary & Family Education
Samantha Nidenberg
Youth Educator
Karen Edwards,
Assistant to the Rabbis and Cantor
Linda Goldbaum,
Office Administrator
Toni Spitzer
Office Administrator
Lucy Dube, Bookkeeper
execdir@shirtikva.org
ext. 214
eddirector@shirtikva.org
ext. 201
familyed@shirtikva.org
ext. 203
snidenberg@ahirtikva.org
ext. 202
kedwards@shirtikva.org
ext. 210
lgoldbaum@shirtikva.org
ext. 211
tspitzer@shirtikva.org
ext. 200
bookkeeper@shirtikva.org
ext. 215
Peggi Cohen, Hineni Editor
hinenied@shirtikva.org
JCC Early Learning Center of Wayland ·
Phone: 508-358-5331
508-879-5064
508-358-6272
Fax: 508-358-5332
Office Hours
School Office
Temple Office
Sunday…....……………….9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Closed
Monday…………………...9 a.m. - 5 p.m.………….….9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday…………………...9 a.m. - 5 p.m.………….….9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday………………..9 a.m. - 8 p.m.……….…….9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday………….……….9 a.m. - 5 p.m.……………..9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday……………..……….9 a.m. - 2 p.m.……….…….9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Office Closings:
Monday, May 28, Memorial Day
Upcoming Events
Monday, May 7, 7 p.m……………………………………Annual Sisterhood Dinner
Saturday, May 12, 4:30 - 7 p.m.……………….Young Families Havdallah Program
Thursday, May 17, 7 p.m……………………….Sisterhood Mah Jongg Tournament
Friday, May 18, 6:15 p.m………...Simchat Shabbat Celebrating Graduating Seniors
Sunday, May 20, 10:15 a.m…………………..TST Religious School Tzedakah Mall
Sunday, May 20, 11 a.m…………………………………...TST Honors Rachel Kest
Friday, June 1, 6:15 p.m………….Simchat Shabbat Celebrating Confirmation Class
Sunday, June 3, 7 p.m………………..19th Annual David Snyder Memorial Concert
Page 16
Garry and Bette Ann Weiner on the marriage of their son, Evan, to Ilyssa Ganek
Our Condolences to —
Dan Schneider on the loss of his father,
Sheldon Schneider
Marilyn Porter on the loss of her husband, Bernard Porter
Diane Tutin on the loss of her father, Bernard Porter
Robin Schreier on the death of her father,
Nathan “Nat” Schreier
Cathy Regensburger on the loss of her
mother, Joan Jarvis
Richard Kaye on the loss of his father,
Jerry Kaye
Jeff Jonas on the loss of his mother, Claire
Jonas
Steven Wolf on the loss of his father,
Sherman Wolf
ippd
June Hineni Deadline
Monday, May 7
The June Hineni will be the last issue
for this year. The next issue will be published in September.
Articles and photos may be sent by
email to hinenied@shirtikva.org or mailed
to the temple office. Email or call Peggi
Cohen, Hineni editor, at 508-358-6272
with questions or comments.
Temple Shir Tikva